Separator



I July 7, 1936. I C c, BAL W N 2,046,442

SEPARATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1955 ATTORN July 7, 1936. c. c. BALDWIN SEPARATOR 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8 ATTORNE Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES I :SEPARATOR V 7 Curtis 0. Baldwin, Qt'tawa, Km. Application Aprils, 1933, Serial-No. 665,1

1 Chim (Cl. 209-136) My invention relates to a separator and more particularly to a device to be -used in connection with placer mining operations for separating sand from gold.

There are existent in some of our western states large areas of placer sand which are commercially unworkable by reason of the fact that they are situate far from an available supply of water. Placer mining is largely conducted in the vicinity of water in which water is used to wash the sand from the gold dust contained therein. Usually a hand operation known as panning is employed. An ordinarily diligent person working the whole day may pan as much as three dollars a day.

One object of my invention is to provide a device which will enable gold to be separated from placer sand without the use of water.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which will effect a separation of sand from the. gold in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which will perform the work of many men.

In the accompanying drawing which forms part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views;

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a device embodying one mode of carrying out my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of inclined surfaces from which the placer sand is passed countercurrent to a stream of air. The velocity of the air stream is such that, assisted by the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane, particles lighter than gold will be blown out of the device, while particles heavier than sand, assisted by gravity, will move countercurrent to the direction of the air stream.

More particularly referring now to the drawing, a truncated cone I is made out of sheet metal or the like. It is placed in inverted position as shown in Figure 1 and terminates in a collecting trough 2. A second inverted truncated cone 3 is placed and supported in spaced relation to member I by means of supporting members 6. Another truncated cone 5 is built in spaced relation to truncated cone 3, as can be readily seen by reference to Figure 1. A member 6 is supported from standard I which houses ashaft 8; Secured to the lower end of shaft 8 is a pulley '9 adapted to be connected to a prime mover. 11715 to be understood, of course, that any suitable means maybe employed for rotat ing shaft 13. At the upper end of shaft 8 and 5 attached thereto, I secure a distributing disk *I-II adapted to be rotated by shaft 8. Distributing disk IEIcarries a plurality of arms II to which are attached fan blades I2 of a s'iroccofan. Between member *5 and member I I provide a plu- 10 rality of baffle plates I 4. The air from the fan Will leave at a tangent thereto. The purpose of the baffle plates is to :deflect the air current so that the'particles it 'acts'upon will tend to move around the inclined planes in order that a measure of centrifugal force resulting from the circular motion will assist the air blast in effecting the separation.

In the device shown in Figure 1, a multistage separator is shown. Parts corresponding to those in the lower stage are numbered in the upper stage with like reference numerals, primed. The upper stage is supported by means of supporting members I5 which extend to the ground or platform upon which the separator is mounted. It will be observed that the upper stage is provided with a pair of hoppers I6 and I'I, hopper I! being supported from hopper I6 by spider I8. Secured to distributor plate I0 is a cylindrical member I9 which carries near its 7 upper end the distributing disk Ill. Arms II' are secured to the cylindrical member I9 in order that the fan blades I2 may be rotated.

In operation, material entering hopper I! will fall through duct 29 and fall upon distributing plate I0. Centrifugal force will throw the material which, in the case of placer mining operations will be placer sand, outwardly against baflie 2|. The sand passing down the inclined surface of member 5 will tend to stratify. As the sand 40 passes lower edge 22 of surface 5, it will tend to fall vertically downwardly. The blast of air, from fan I2 being directed by the bafiles I4 will carry away the lighter dust. The heavier particles of sand, on reaching the inclined surface 3, will tend to move along the same inthe direction imparted thereto by the air streams issuing between baiiles I I. The velocity of air is such that the sand and material lighter than gold will gather speed as it moves around the surface 3. Centrifugal force will tend to widen the arc of travel of the particles until they reach the upper edge 23 of the surface 3, whence they pass out of the device. Gold and such particles as are not blown out of a the machine in the inclined surface I on which the operationis' repeated. Material passing through the hopper it falls ,upon distributing: plate It! and isthrown out'-' wardly andrthe operation described above isjrepeated. Themember l' of the upper stage terminates in an opening 24. If desired, a collecti ng pan may be placed under this opening. 0 In practice, however, this material will .drop on fore the'placer sand is introduced into the ma- 7 chine,- the classification may be by. means of: j iscreens or the like. The material which. passes. 15 through the screens, .that'is the more finely di-j" vided material, may be placedinthe outer'hopper, while the heavier material may be placed in the inner hopper l1. contain gold nuggets.

In practice, 'I have mixed gold dust consisting of particles of about twelve thousandths of an,

- j inch or more with gravel or sand particles hav- "ing diametersof about two tenths of an inch.

' or more. 'The device efiected a perfect separation. The heavy material obtained from my machine will be the equivalent of a concentrated ore from which large amounts of goldlmay be t readily recovered.

' t will be observed that my device has radvanta'ges. I"am,enabled to enter a placer 'deposit far from available water; and handle large quantities of 'placer. sand from which a concentrate consisting chiefly of heavy particles which contain much gold is recovered.

2,046,442 e V T concentrate may be The heavy material may then subjected to further processing. Frequently, gold nuggets the size of a BBshot are found. The concentrate contains considerable more gold than many 'men" could pan in the same period of time. j 6 It'will be understood that certain features and 'subcombinations are of utility and'may be em- 7 played without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and. V V is within the scope of -my claim., It is further 10 surface 5 and the operation be continued. Be-

obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope 'ofjmy claim without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is Having thusdescribed my invention, whatI laimsix. I A 7 In aseparating device a member having its p 7 V innersurface generated 'alonglthe surface 01.20

an. inverted cone, a second member having its,

an uprightcone, means for supporting said sec-. ond member within said'first memberconcentricv therewith. and spaced therefrom with. respective 25 if bases of said members in. overlapping relation, a: centrifugal fan between said'members and whole ly within the projectionotithe base. of said sec-3.

7 0nd member, a plurality of *substantially V8111!" cal baflies inclined to the'radii' of said membersto; 1

not. to be limited to the specific details shown 15f 1 1 v and described.

exterior surface. generated along .the'surface off; 

